After my failed experiment with the 600mm f/4, I was a little tentative about the 400. While quite a bit lighter, this is also a large, intimidating lens. This time around, I made sure I had the prerequisites - the Gitzo Systematic Series 3 tripod legs and a solid gimbal head (mine's from Calumet Photo).

I can't overemphasize the importance of a good tripod/head combination to support this lens. In addition, lugging this 25-pound deadweight around requires a commitment to frequent shoulder and neck workouts! A lot of people have asked me whether the final result is really worth lugging this setup around, and after 2 years I can say that the answer is a YES! The lens seems to grow smaller every time you use it and it really isn't a big deal any more.

Build Quality & Handling
Nothing groundbreaking to report on this front - as befits a lens that costs as much as a small island, the build quality is fantastic. I did have an issue where the autofocus completely stopped working, but to Nikon's credit they fixed it for free even though my lens was under warranty. Since then the lens has been a model of reliability.

I almost always use this on a gimbal head or a rest, so handling isn't an issue in my opinion. I've tried handholding it, and take it from me - it's impossible. No matter how often you hit the gym.

Image Quality & Performance
This lens delivers amazingly sharp pictures with good support and long lens technique. Bokeh is unbelievable and really makes the subjects pop. I coupled the lens with the Nikon TC-20EII 2X teleconverter for the first few months that I had it. The results were good but not great - I felt that the compromise in image quality was a little too much. Upgrading to the TC-20EIII teleconverter made a world of difference; I stop down by 1/3 to 2/3 stop for an effective aperture of f/7.1 and the resulting images are tack sharp.

This is also probably the fastest focusing lens I have ever used - it's fast, sure and is a dream to use. However, I rarely use this lens without the 2x teleconverter, and adding the teleconverter sometimes makes the AF hunt a little in low light. However, this and the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 are probably the only lenses that can handle a 2X TC with such ease.

Here are my contributions to the big VR argument - I haven't attempted a scientific test but from what I've seen, using the VR in NORMAL mode it doesn't seem to hurt the images any! How's that for a cop-out?! Seriously, the only time I switch off VR is when I'm doing video - VR makes it sound like you're shooting from inside your local laundromat.

Conclusion
This is one serious lens - both price wise and in the commitment required to use it. However, all this pales into insignificance when you finally snap that picture of a beautiful songbird in perfect focus with the background a soft, dreamy wash of color. For anyone who hasn't used one of Nikon's big lenses, here's my recommendation : rent one - you'll fall in love and eventually buy one!

Jun 22, 2012

PieriaOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Nov 2, 2010Location: United StatesPosts: 32

Review Date: Apr 1, 2012

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Very sharp wide open

Cons:

I bought two copies of the incredible 400 2.8 vr. Let me start by saying, i shoot mostly sports, action, and some wildlife. This lens for all this type of shooting is the best super telephoto lens from nikon. It is sharp sharp sharp. Wide open 2.8 the lens is just amazing. Auto focus speed is extremly fast, and love the bokeh wide open. I use the lens with tc-20 e iii and my d3s , and 5.6 looks fantastic. It slows down autofocus a bit, but very usable in good light. It is a huge lens , but with proper long lens technique, and some serious legs (gitzo), amazing results. Expensive but worth every peny. I simply love this.

Apr 1, 2012

Jonathan FOfflineBuy and Sell: On

Registered: Oct 17, 2006Location: United StatesPosts: 436

Review Date: Aug 11, 2011

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Sharpest lens ever!

Cons:

Expensive, heavy and still uses the two-piece hood (though not as bad as the previous AFS I/II hood).

This lens I refer to as my insurance lens. If all else fails, this is the lens that gets the money shot! It is so sharp and renders pictures so beautifully, the only other lenses that matches it for exquisite images is the 600 f/4 VR & 200 f/2 VR. Mated with a 1.4 TC-14E II, this lens makes an awesome 600 f/4 VR. While I'm no fan of TCs, this is one lens that can easily use them with NO quality loss. I'd recommend getting a replacement foot with a smaller profile as it makes the lens a little easier to manage. This lens is probably Nikon's most versatile. On an FX 12mp body, this lens makes an excellent low-light/smooth bokeh lens. When mated to a DX body, it becomes a 600mm FOV lens in good light and with a 1.4 TC it goes even further.

Overall I'm very happy with this lens, and use it every chance I get. Highly recommended if you're looking for that one telephoto lens that does it all. If I could pick only one super telephoto lens in Nikon's line-up this would be the one!

Aug 11, 2011

GregHowardOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Mar 1, 2010Location: CanadaPosts: 104

Review Date: Jul 11, 2010

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Sharp, great build q., the best bokeh I've seen from any lens period.

Cons:

Terrible hood and foot.

This lens (vrII) is my first super tele. I shoot it with all three of Nikon's current tele converters with pretty good results. The 1.4 is by far the best match to this lens followed by the TC-17 II and finally the TC-20 III.

I shoot equestrian events with this lens for a living and typically shoot it without a tele converter. The rest of the time I take bird and other wildlife pictures with it as a replacement for therapy.

When you buy this lens make sure to budget for a good tripod. I had to surplus a Manfrotto 055 and replaced it with a Gitzo 3530. I have an RRS BH-55 and a Wimberly Sidekick that work like a charm for just about everything.

The 400VR arrived last week and my experience is fairly limited so I will post briefly some first impressions. If you konw the 400/2,8 Nikkors, then you're aware of their dimensions and weight: the new 400VR is fairly heavy but well proportioned and balanced. Just to make a quick comparison, my previous 200-400/4VR, while lighter, was somewhat "uncomfortable" due to its center of gravity shifted to the front of the lens. On the contrary the 400VR is "fatter" and its mass is better distributed over the entire lenght. As a matter of fact, I'm able to shoot handheld most of the time with good results but I would suggest a monopod to support this monster, especially for prolonged shooting sessions; a gimball head / tripod would be ideal for shooting from a fixed position.
Another aspect to consider is the double-pieced lens hood: it could seem a cumbersome design but I came to a compromise using only the first part while leaving the second one into the closet. In very bright environments I have both mounted on the lens.
One of the things I've appreciated immediately is the VR ON/OFF ring switch: it's the same as the 200VR and I always found its design to be better than the 200-400/4VR's button one.
As for the tripod foot, it's prone to vibrations when mounted on tripod but for hand-held shooting it's very good because its "L" shape allows for a perfect grab: I use a pair of SetWear leather fingerless gloves with extra padding into the palm.
Now for the optical performance of this puppy, I can say that its top-level under any condition. Using regularly some razors (200/2VR, Leica 90APO Asph for Nikon F, Voigtlander 125/2,5 not to mention the 14-24/2.8), I can say the 400VR is quite as sharp from wide open and draws micro-contrast beautifully, emulating the 3Dness of Zeiss glass. Bokeh rendering is absolutely among the best my eyes had the pleasure to see: at F2,8 the subject seems to be "glued" onto a background painted by an artist. Regarding CA, it's remarkably well corrected.

Price. Acceptable for this kind of tool.

A perfect lens? Well, I don't know but it's my "dream lens" for sure.

Jun 14, 2010

Q WhoOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 18, 2007Location: CanadaPosts: 15

Review Date: Jan 27, 2008

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Fast and accurate AF
Precise Optics
VR a blessing when hand holding this behemoth
Beautiful bokeh
Very well built

Cons:

Two piece lens hood
Pricey
No wrench for changing feet

Great lens would not except nothing less in this class
I find that all the controls are well placed the sound level of the vr
system is quiet. AF is very fast and accurate image quality is as good at the edge as it is in the center. Great bokeh . Handles the 1.4 and 1.7 tc's well have not used a 2x tc with this lens so I can't say how it would be. Lens comes with two feet one for tripod use and another for mono pod use would be nice if Nikon supplied a wrench for changing the feet not that it is something that I change everyday.
The mono pod foot is low and stable the tripod foot is tall and does allow for some vibration. Don't care for the two piece lens hood.
I would like the trunk case for the lens to have enough room for a body to be left on the lens.
As for the weight of this lens yes it is heavy but not as heavy as it could be.
Pricey but worth the money